MeshCAM Toolpaths And G Code For A Guitar Body

[@brianframe7949]

I can't tell you how helpful this series was for me. I'm so close to pulling the trigger but I'm struggling to learn the 3D modeling portion right now. Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos.

[@paulszudzik9588]

I enjoyed your videos, but I would like to ask a question. Why did you not let the CNC drill those holes? You mentioned that the drill press would be more accurate, but I can't fathom why that is the case. ( I too have my own home built big wood CNC. ) Thanks for the demo.

[@HighlineGuitars]

Even though I have drill bits for every hole size I might need to drill, I don't have spindle collets for every drill bit. Sure, I could cut pockets instead of drilling holes, however, many of these holes are deeper than my endmills will cut. Also, since the alignment between the neck and body center lines can shift as a result of final sanding, I often find it safer to drill the holes after the neck has been mounted or at least test fit into the body.

[@GosselinCreative]

Thank you Chris for sharing how you do this. You have clearly worked really hard to develop your technique and it shows. The guitar you produce using it are also beautiful. You're not just a technician, you're a true craftsman.

[@DavidRavenMoon]

Excellent video. I like how you pointed out that some operations are better done on your drill press etc. People should view a CNC as they would a hand held router and template or any other power tool.

[@terryo9838]

Great videos, really enjoyed this series. Any chance you will be doing the same thing for the neck?

[@jurgenviesemann5260]

Thank you for the video. But do you have a video where you explain double sided milling? Example how you flip body over so that ur machine mills other side on right spots. Do you use pins system or draw some lines on wasteboard and body plank?

[@Nickporter17]

This would be awesome to see explained. Thanks Chris!

[@seansimon2230]

I would also very much like to see the flipping technique used! I've tried multiple methods with decent results but always end up with a slight mismatch in my flip

[@kryptonite1666]

Hey there I know it's a long shot cuz the video is 3 years old, but when your routing the body like that how you get the wire tunnels between the pickups into control cavity

[@HighlineGuitars]

I use a very long brad point drill bit and drill from the neck cavity through the pickup cavities. Then I drill an angled hole from the bridge pickup cavity down into the control cavity. When I drill the angled hole, I run the drill bit through a short length of pipe to protect the sides of the pickup cavity.

[@kryptonite1666]

@@HighlineGuitars thank so mich for getting back to me and in the time you did! I'm bing watching all your vids!

[@BMH-cb9jt]

Would this work as well for 3D printing a Guitar body? Im looking to make a HH Jazzmaster with a fixed bridge.

[@HighlineGuitars]

Not MeshCAM. I use Rhinoceros 3D to make my models and Anycubic Slicer to write the g-code for 3D printing. I’m working on a complete guitars right now that will be 3D printed.

[@BMH-cb9jt]

@@HighlineGuitars so all the steps you used to design the guitar up until this video when you export it as a STL file I can do that and just use meshmixer to cut it to fit my printer?

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@BMH-cb9jt I don’t know anything about Meshmixer. If I need to break a part into separate pieces, I do that in Rhinoceros 3D.

[@subd3]

Since this video, is there a better solution that can use one software package, minus the 3d creation software. Is there anything that can write g code for a guitar in less steps?

[@HighlineGuitars]

With Easel Pro, you can import .stl files, set the toolpaths, and send it to the CNC machine.

[@subd3]

Thank you Chris. If money wasn't a factor, what machine would you buy?@@HighlineGuitars

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@subd3 X-Carve Pro.

[@dalgguitars]

Yes. Thank you soooooo much for these videos! You totally rock!

[@markdayneowalla]

I would prefer to carve the top and the pockets for the neck and pickups in separate operations. Ballnose for the 3D carve, and straight end mills for the pockets. Can that be done in Meshcam or do you need to export separate files from your CAD program? 3D STL file for the carve, then 2D file for the pockets?

[@HighlineGuitars]

It can all be done at once in MeshCAM with one 3D STL file.

[@TheCollectorEdd]

Was watching this video to get started in CNC, tried MeshCAM, but unfortunately it won't generate Gcode that WinPC-NC controler software will run, so don't know how to continue. Anyone run into this issue and has any solutions?

[@HighlineGuitars]

Contact [e-mail] and ask them. They are the makers of MeshCAM.

[@TomH_YT]

So helpful. Thanks. Seems doable now.

[@mattaquinn]

Thank you again. I was surprised (because of lack of experience) when you said that the holes could be drilled more precisely on a press. Did you mean more precisely with respect to the complete guitar with neck attached? Or is there something else mechanically that makes the CNC inferior?

[@jimbecker5675]

On a CNC, one can do very accurate holes, but you want to be able to use a tool that's smaller than the holes. That's difficult for .125" string holes that have to pass through nearly 1.75" of body. Tooling would be very small and very long and likely be, um...toast really fast.

[@liaustria7790]

this is what i need thank you sir

[@buzzsawddog]

Amazing video! I learned a lot about MeshCAM. Your tips are going to make a big difference for me. I look forward to seeing your other videos.

[@JustinDesilva]

Thank you for the demo. This helps me understand the standard version of MeshCam will generate 3D gcode for curvilinear surfaces. Would you mind sharing which CNC machine you’re using?

[@richardhall1392]

Thank you so much for your informative videos. Do you use Meshcam for the fret board/slots as well? I have tried but cannot seem to get Meshcam to calculate the fret slots. It will not go into the slot..just the very top.

[@tommyhjelmgren2108]

Thanks for the fantastic CNC videos! I have a couple of logistics questions: 1. I'm also curious about your double-sided milling method as asked by Jurgen here in the comments. 2. How do you get the G-code to the actual CNC? Example: could i do the entire design on my desktop and then transfer g-code to a laptop that helps run GRBL?

[@HighlineGuitars]

1. I align the centerlines of my blank to lines engraved into the wasteboard of my CNC machine. 2. I design on a desktop and send the g-code to my CNC from a laptop.

[@tommyhjelmgren2108]

@@HighlineGuitars Thanks for the quick responses. That makes so much sense to use a centerline on the wasteboard. Also, glad i can just upgrade my desktop graphics card for CAD/CAM and then just transfer the G code from a laptop (hope I'm understanding correctly; still trying to fully wrap my head around the software side of things)

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@tommyhjelmgren2108 I drop my g-code into Easel Pro from my desktop so it's available when I log in on my laptop.

[@jimbecker5675]

Interesting seeing a different software solution and how it works...theory is the same; some terms and the way one sets parameters may vary. I use Vectric software, but had no issue understanding your presentation. Thanks!

[@pmd7914]

Thanks, about to set up my first body for cnc cutting. Mine has routed edges back & front. Is it okay to do these on a cnc or is that better a post cnc operation?

[@panmo2110]

This is brilliant! Thank you for all your informative videos and being open to share your knowledge and learnings. Your CNC machine build looks great, and I really think you could team up with a stockist to sell DIY CNC kits. 3018 desktop is affordable at around £160 but slightly too small.. and the next size up increases the price substantially to £600+ - so there isn't really anything in that sweet spot of size & price. Just an idea as your design looks robust and home CNC is gaining popularity and a growing market. Take care, and look forward to more info videos. 🙂

[@HighlineGuitars]

CNC machines are cool and fun to build, but I'd rather focus on guitars.

[@smawhorter]

Firstly, this was a great video and super informative...you deserve serious kudos for this. Second, I know that UGS has a 3d gcode visualizer, so are you using Camotics just to see the representation as a solid surface vs. stacks of lines?

[@HighlineGuitars]

I like to see the solid surface in very high resolution.

[@RORGuitars]

Great insights Chris, thanks so much for sharing!

[@kerranz]

Thanks very much for showing us this

[@SouthShine01]

Cool, Do you need a 3D assistant? I can help

[@rufustoad1]

Good Video. Is there no way to input the stock size, material, and tool then MESHCAM will automatically define the paths and g code??

[@HighlineGuitars]

Huh? That’s what this video was about. You input the details and click calculate. The tool paths are generated and if you like them, you can save the g-code.

[@rufustoad1]

@@HighlineGuitars Yes but you spent 30m opening 10 different icons telling it to do 50 different things and I thought there might be a simpler way to generate g code. It is a bit over whelming for a beginner and if one of the steps is off you can do a bit of damage.

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@rufustoad1 when it comes to carving 3D shapes on a CNC machine, there is no easier way than MeshCam for generating tool paths and g-code. If you think it’s too complicated, you might want to close the book on CNC and try a more traditional hand carving approach.

[@joeking5211]

Hi Chris, well a superb video for Meshcam which is what I wanted, but you must be using an ultra special version cos my demo looks absolutely nothing like yours and it's so different that there is nothing in you excellent vid that is of any use at all, that's starting from loading the file. Totally lost in CAM, have read ALL the comments below and feel there must be something I'm missing as NOBODY has mentioned anything like this. Would be great to know the secret that everyone else seems to have to be able understand your tutorial for Meshcam.

[@HighlineGuitars]

I use MeshCAM Standard from www.grzsoftware.com/. Nothing special about it.

[@joeking5211]

Hi Chris, just checked again. Even the first screen shot on the page shows it, there are no icons as in your complete work flow that I can find, but clearly I must be the only one of your commenters that can see this, Can you really not see that it is absolutely nothing like your screens ?????.

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@joeking5211 Joe, I thought about this and it occurred to me that you are probably using a recently (2022) downloaded demo. This video was made two years ago and MeshCAM has been updated several times since. Functionality remains basically the same with some new features and improvements, but the main difference is they have reorganized the interface.

[@Nadnerb5840]

Awesome. Are you using the standard meshcam or pro version.

[@HighlineGuitars]

Standard.

[@edinpedin]

@@HighlineGuitars and its working on Mac?

[@HighlineGuitars]

@@edinpedin Yep!